A quick survey: How much are you guys spending to maintain your Volvo C30? I'm taking about repairs only.

In the past 2 years, I have spent $4500 for mostly wear and tear items (ie, timing belt, cv boots, etc). Recently, there is a need for another repair and the A/C hasn't worked for the past 2 or 3 years. Before these 2 years, I spent no more than $2000, and it's a 2009 with 150,000+ miles. I keep putting money into it hoping it will go another few years without additional major repairs. I love this car but it's frustrating to have to keep repairing it.

 

I don't spend anything since we never buy them. Their reputation is not good and they are riddled with issues. The convertible model is a bankruptcy in a package.

Your repair issues are largely inflated by the cost of repair labor which has nothing to do with the car itself. A quality timing belt kit is about $100 and the drive axles are less than that each.

 

I recently bought a new car for my wife (Mazda). After doing the calculations, buying is still significantly cheaper than leasing. To lease the Mazda would be $9500 for the first 3 years. I've had my car for 9 years and I still haven't spent $30,000 purchase price + repairs and maintenance. And Mazdas tend to lease for less. Plus I put 18,000-20,000 per year. Leasing just doesn't make sense.

 

Sorry to say my C30 has not been bullet-proof. It has 125K miles, so the car has delivered many miles of service. But I've had to rebuild the entire front suspension, which is highly strange. I'm not a hot rod driver either. Power door locks failed. Software glitches make the car downright weird at times. Timing belt service was rather complicated, though not too expensive because I did it myself. Cam seals are a bear to replace, but you better do it or else. Emergency brake button won't release if the temp is under 20 degrees outside. Dealership put brakes on and they made a super loud grinding noise, maybe not the car's fault. CV joint boots, sway bar joint separated. Seems like I'm always fixing something on it.....because I am always fixing something on it.

But it's a unique car. I like that no one else has one. So I deal with it. If I had to pay for service, I'd probably be driving a Honda.

 

All these newer cars are built this way, designed to last until the first lease runs out, about 100k kms, 60k miles, after which they start to fall apart by design. Volvo learned in the past that making durable cars will not keep you in business. So, make flashy POS with a bunch of worthless features that are too complicated to repair, use "ecofriendly" materials, and then you have to buy a new car then everybody, but the consumer, wins. This is especially true for the Euro companies as even Mercedes, BMW are into this scam and their cars are gettting worse with every new edition as far as durability. It is not a secret, price any used MBZ S class, BMW 7 series, Audi A8, they are worthless! A ten year old Honda Corolla is more desirable and expensive to buy than an S class. I think the Germans, and all Euro higher end makers are laughing at the stupidity of their customers, all the way to the bank.

 

Your opinion.

After selling used Volvos for 20 years and owning thousands of them, I find them generally to be an excellent car. I also sell and drive Mercedes and have not had any type of major repair other than what would be general service and maintenance issues. The biggest thing on Mercedes is the air suspension, if equipped, and no other car rides as smooth as the airmatic. However, plan on spending about $1200 to replace all four strut/springs if you DIY. However, the cost of replacement goes with the territory.

We have NEVER bought/sold the convertible model or the V series. When they show up here they are junk. It has to do with the low cost and resale value. The S60, V70, XC70 and S80 are our popular cars. They are very long life vehicles.

I no longer sell BMW but give me a Mercedes all day long.

 

I get they are long life cars. The engine and transmission of my car still run great! I feel like it hasn't lost much in terms of power. However, the repairs are adding up. Each time it's between $400-600. Sometimes more.

 

And if it were a Kia you'd be spending the same. The majority of the cost is labor.

Maybe next time you should find a 1978 Chevrolet Nova or maybe a Dodge Aires K.

 

Which brings me to where I'm at... when is it worth getting a new car and when to keep spending money on repairs?

 

Newer cars mostly are not built to last! They are built fir the bling and to last til the warranty is done. You want a car that lasts, get a Toyota--the Japanese seem less shameless than the Europeans these days, still care about their customers. Better yet get a Lexus if you can.

 

Totally untrue. We are servicing a S60 Volvo with 180k on it and it is ready for more use. You couldn't have had 180k miles on a car 20 years ago.

The key to reducing costs is to learn to do your own repairs. The cost of tools will pay for themselves over and over.

 

Come on, 240, 740, 940 go for 300+K miles routinely, everybody knows that! A newer POS FWD Volvo S60, or an S40, will never go that distance unless you put thousands in the pockets of the shops, (yours apparently). Not to even mention the S80 that you can't give away. Any car will go if you put a lot of $ into it...

 

I find the newer Volvos much better cars. Those older designs did not have the fuel efficiency or comfort of the newer cars.

As far as the S80, we have a couple of those. We don't have any problems selling cars. I wish that you would refrain from the hostilities and focus on the purpose of the forum.

 

The purpose of this or any other forum is to help DIY types with their cars, not shill for the dealers and recommend owners go to "professionals" for everything; the junior service writer shtick is getting old...

 

If you would reread the post, I suggested learning to do their own repairs and invest in tools as a way to keep costs down. No matter what car you own, learning to do your own repairs goes a long way.